Despite initially vowing to steer clear from personal attacks in the Hulu Selangor by-election campaign, it appears Barisan Nasional deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin just can't help himself.

NONE But unlike his underlings' attacks on PKR candidate Zaid Ibrahim for being an alleged alcoholic and gambler, Muhyiddin's (right) criticism were thinly disguised as praises for BN candidate P Kamalanathan.

"Kamalanathan doesn't smoke. He doesn't drink," said Muhyiddin said at a ceramah at Ulu Yam Baru last night, drawing chuckles from the knowing crowd of about 500 people.

"A candidate must be someone who does not do immoral things, which go against (his) religion," added Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin was quick to add that he is not responsible for the allegations against Zaid and put the blame squarely on the press for playing up the issue.

Zaid's wealth under scrutiny

After ‘explaining' the contrasting morals exhibited in the two candidates, Muhyiddin took aim at Zaid's wealth.

Muhyiddin attempted to paint Zaid, a successful lawyer before his foray into politics, as a elite who was out of touch with the common man.

NONE Zaid (left) resides in a multi-million ringgit luxury bungalow in an elite neighbourhood in Petaling Jaya and has admitted to indulging in the rich man sport of horse racing in the past.

"Not everyone in Hulu Selangor can live such a lavish life," said Muhyiddin, before appealing to his audience that Kamalanathan would be more down to earth.

Muhyiddin assured his audience that Kamalanathan was one who "does not know how to live an opulent life".

The deputy premier's biggest salvo was saved for PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim whom he labled as "greedy", a "traitor to the country" and was someone "obsessed" with being prime minister.

"People are annoyed, tired, nauseous and fed up with (Anwar)," he said, to cheers from the audience.

Halili is Umno's prize catch

Sharing the stage with Muhyiddin was Umno's recent ‘prize catch' - former Hulu Selangor PKR division Dr Halili Rahmat.

dr halili rahmat anwar doctor 130904 pc Halili (right) , who left PKR for Umno on Monday, has been used by the BN camp to discredit the opposition as he was formerly a founding member of PKR and a close confidant of Anwar.

"(Many have) repented, and have made public statements on how they were taken for a ride, and some were more than just used by Anwar," said Halili.

Halili made an attempt to pull the crowd's heartstrings later by introducing them to his octogenarian father, a loyal Umno member, who happens to live just across the street from the venue.

"My father called me. He was in tears when he heard of my decision (to quit PKR) because I have now returned," he said, before submitting his Umno application form to Muhyiddin.

But none of the theatrics raised more eyebrows than when the tongue-tied neurosurgeon made this closing remark:"Vote for encik Kamaruddin".